TAMILNADU FACTORIES

RULES-1950
THE STATICS AND MOBILE PRESSURE VESSELS
RULES 1981
INTRODUCTION

The SMPV(U) Rules, 1981 regulate, possession and transport of compressed

gases, valves, safety fittings used in pressure vessels containing compressed
gases viz., permanent gas, liquefiable gases in (chapter v) rule no 47.
OBJECTIVE
Compressed gases filled in metallic container pose potential hazard and the
container explodes. Hence, the Govt. of India vide Notification No.M-1272(1)
dated 28/09/1938 has declared compressed gas filled in a metallic container to
be deemed to be an explosive under Section 17 of the Explosives Act, 1884.
Subsequently, in exercise of powers vested in Section V & VII of the Act, the
Govt. framed the Static & Mobile Pressure Vessels Rules, 1981 to regulate
filling, possession, transport and import of compressed gases in pressure
vessels.
 CHAPTERS
• Chapter 1 Preliminary
• Chapter 2 Construction and fitments of pressure vessels
• Chapter 3 Storage
• Chapter 4 Transport
• Chapter 5 licence
• Chapter 6 Exemption
• Chapter 7 Accident and inquiries
• Chapter 8 Powers
PRELIMINARY
DEFINITIONS
It contains definition and some handling procedure, design process for
 Auto LPG, Auto LPG dispensing station, Auto LPG dispensing
operator ,bottling plant, Chief Controller, competent person, Compressed
Gas, Controller of Explosives, corrosion, critical temperature, cryogenic
liquid, cryogenic pressure vessel, Gas Cylinder, design, design pressure,
dispenser, filling density, fill point, fittings, flammability range, flammable
compressed gas, Form, gas free, gas tanker degassing station, Inspector,
installation" means any place which has been specially prepared for the
storage of compressed gas in pressure vessels , liquefiable gas, liquefied
petroleum gas, mounded vessel, NDT, petroleum service station etc,.
Restriction on filling, manufacture and import of pressure vessels
including fittings and vapouriser
• No person shall handle any compressed gas accordance with a type or standard or code as
specified under rule 13 and fitted with fittings approved by the Chief Controller.
• No person shall manufacture any vessel and fitting thereof, under sub-rule (1) including
vaporiser without the prior approval of the Chief Controller.
• No person shall import any vessel without prior approval from Chief Controller.

Restriction on delivery and despatch.

• No person shall deliver or despatch any compressed gas without getting a license.
• No compressed gas delivered or despatched under sub-rule (1) shall exceed the quantity
which the person to whom it is delivered or despatched is authorized to store under the
license held by him.
Repair and modification to pressure vessels
• No person shall carry out any repairs or modifications to any vessel unless
the prior approval of repairs or modifications, procedure and their method of
execution is obtained from the Chief Controller or Controller authorized by
him on payment of a scrutiny fee as specified in clause B of Schedule I.
• Before any repairs, additions or alterations are carried out to any vessel, the
same shall be completely emptied and purged with an inert gas.
Prohibition of employment of children and intoxicated persons
• No person under the age of eighteen years or who is in a state of intoxication
shall be employed for the loading, unloading or transport of any vessel
containing compressed gas, or in any premises licensed under these rules.
CONSTRUCTION AND FITMENT OF
PRESSURE VESSELS
Design code
• Vessels shall be designed, constructed and tested in accordance with IS 2825; ASME Section VIII Division 1
or Division 2, PD5500, EN 13458, EN 13530, AD:2000 code as amended from time to time, or such other
standard or code accepted by the Chief Controller.
• A test and inspection certificate issued by the Inspector and countersigned by the approved fabricator in
the prescribed proforma that the vessel meets with the requirements of the standard or code referred to in
sub-rule (1) shall be furnished to the Chief Controller or Controller authorized by the Chief Controller.
Design pressure
The design pressure of a vessel shall not be less than
• (a) the vapour pressure of the gas in the vessel at 550 C, if the vessel is meant for the storage of liquefiable
gases
• (b) the developed pressure of the gas in the vessel at 550 C, if the vessel is meant for the storage of a
permanent gas.
 STORAGE
• Vessels and first stage regulating equipment shall be located in open.
• Vessels shall not be installed one above the other.
• No vessels are located within the bonded area of petroleum or other
flammable liquid storage.
• Two or more vessels installed in batteries shall be so installed that the top
surface of the vessels are on the same plane.
• Vessels with their dished ends facing each other shall have screen walls in
between them.
TRANSPORT
• Every vehicle for the transport of compressed gas shall be of a type
approved, in writing, by the Chief Controller.
• Where approval is sought to a vehicle under sub-rule (1), three numbers of
detailed vehicle mounting drawing drawn to scale and a scrutiny fee as
specified in clause B of Schedule I shall be forwarded to the Chief Controller.
• If the Chief Controller, after receipt of the drawing under sub-rule (2) and
after making such further inquiries as he deems necessary, is satisfied that
the vehicle or the special safety fittings, as the case may be, meets with the
requirements laid down in these rules, he shall approve the drawing and
return to the applicant one copy thereof duly endorsed.
EXEMPTIONS
Powers to exempt
• The Central Government may, on the recommendation of the Chief
Controller, in exceptional cases, by order and for reasons to be recorded in
writing, exempt storage and transportation of any compressed gas in any
vessel from all or any of the provisions of these rules on such conditions, if
any, as may be specified in the order.
ACCIDENTS
• Recording of incidents and notice of accident.- The licensee shall maintain
records of all incidents connected with storage, transportation or handling of
compressed gases and shall produce the same to the inspecting officer on
demand.
• Inquiry into more serious accidents.- Whenever an inquiry is held under
section 9A of the Act, the persons holding such inquiry shall hold the same in
open court in such manner and under such conditions as they may think
most effectual for ascertaining the causes and circumstances of the accident,
and enabling them to make the report under this rule
THANK YOU